The Covington community is reeling after the unexpected death of Hermon Lewis Estes Jr., 75, in a multi‑vehicle crash Monday afternoon. A pillar in his hometown, Hermon was well known not just for running his roofing business, H.L. Estes Roofing, but for the genuine kindness, humility, and reliability he showed everyone around him.
According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded just before 1 p.m. on U.S. 42 near Bleu Yacht Lane in Union, Kentucky, following reports of a serious collision. Investigators say a fully loaded 2019 Kenworth dump truck was traveling northbound behind Hermon’s 2014 Chevy Silverado when Hermon slowed to a stop for reasons still under investigation. The dump truck struck his Silverado from behind, pushing it into oncoming traffic, where it collided with another fully loaded dump truck going southbound.
Tragically, Hermon was pronounced dead at the scene. One of the dump truck drivers was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Florence, while the other refused treatment.
Boone County officials say both of the dump trucks involved were carrying full loads and recorded the crash on their onboard dash cameras, which are now part of the ongoing investigation.
To his family, longtime customers, and neighbors, Hermon Estes was more than a businessman. He quietly built H.L. Estes Roofing through years of hard work, honesty, and a deep sense of responsibility. But just as much as his professional life, his character is what people remember: a steady hand, a warm heart, and a willingness to lend help where it was needed.
His granddaughter, Anastasia Jonas, told WLWT, “He was a family man, so sweet, so loving and caring … I just really miss him right now.” Those words capture how he made people feel—loved, supported, and safe.
As the Boone County Sheriff’s Office pieces together exactly what happened, the community has rallied to share memories of Hermon’s laughter, his work ethic, and the quiet dignity with which he carried himself. A man whose life was rooted in service, kindness, and perseverance leaves behind a powerful legacy.
While his sudden passing leaves a void in Covington, his impact will live on—in the families he served, the roofs he built, and the countless small acts of generosity that defined who he was. May his family take comfort in the love he sowed, and may his memory continue to guide and inspire.
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